10 Things You Didn’t Know About Lupita Nyong’o

In case you haven’t heard, the Academy Awards are this weekend. I’m pretty excited about them this year, especially since Ellen DeGeneres is hosting. And because we get to see more of the beautiful Lupita Nyong’o. Seriously, I can’t even handle how stunning she is.

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about Lupita, and for good reason. Her breakout role as Patsey in 12 Years A Slave has landed her nominations for ALL the awards. And she’s won almost all of them. She’s up for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and you guys, if she doesn’t win something is seriously wrong. She’s amazing so check out these 10 facts about her!

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She's From Mexico City Originally

Lupita was born in Mexico City, Mexico while her father was working as a teacher. Her family moved back to Kenya, but Lupita returned to Mexico when she was sixteen to learn Spanish.

She's Gluten-Free

Ralph Fiennes Helped Her Decide That Acting Was Her Dream

Lupita worked as a production assistant on The Constant Gardener.She says that Ralph Fiennes asked what she wanted to do and when she said acting, "He sighed and said, ‘If there’s something else that you want to do, do that. Only act if you feel you can’t live without it.’ It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was the thing I needed to hear."

She Produced, Directed And Edited A Documentary

Her Professional Acting Debut Was As Juliet

USA Today reports, "At 14, she made her professional debut as the doomed heroine of Romeo and Juliet in a production by the Nairobi-based repertory company Phoenix Players." Raise your hand if you want to see her play Juliet in the next remake?

She Landed Her Role In 12 Years A Slave Right Out Of School

Right before graduating from the Yale School of Drama, Lupita was encouraged by her manager to send in an audition tape for 12 Years A Slave. It was her first big audition for a major role, and of course, she landed the part.

Oprah Is Basically Responsible For Her Acting

Lupita told The Hollywood Reporter that Oprah is essentially responsible for her acting dream. She says, "When I was a little girl, the first time I thought I could be an actor was when I watched The Color Purple." Thank you, Oprah!

She Has Some Amazing Things To Say About Self Love

In her acceptance speech for best breakout performance at Essence's Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, Lupita said, "I got teased and taunted about my skin," and spoke about her insecurities regarding her complexion. She continued, "My complexion had always been an obstacle to overcome. I couldn't believe that people were embracing a woman who looked so much like me as beautiful. It was perplexing and I wanted to reject it because I had begun to enjoy the seduction of inadequacy. But a flower couldn't help but bloom inside of me. I hope that my presence on your screen and my face in magazines may lead you, young girls, on a beautiful journey." OMG she is the best.

Her Family Is Super Important

Lupita's family is amazing. Her father, Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, represents Kisumu County in the Kenyan Senate while her mother Dorothy runs a communications company and is the managing director of the African Cancer Foundation. Her cousin, Isis, was named one of Africa's most powerful women by Forbes. Talk about good genetics.

She's Obsessed With Good TV

A quick look at her flawless Instagram reveals that Lupita obsesses over TV shows we love like Scandal and Orange Is The New Black.She told The Cut that she grew up with shows like, "Step by Step, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, Full House—I watched a lot of sitcoms, as you can tell."